A Multi-Institutional Experience Utilizing Boari Flap in Robotic Urinary Reconstruction

J Endourol. 2023 Jul;37(7):775-780. doi: 10.1089/end.2022.0618.

Abstract

Objectives: There is presently scarce literature describing the outcomes of patients undergoing robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) using the Boari flap (BF) technique. Herein, we report our prospective, multi-institutional experience using BF in patients undergoing robotic urinary reconstruction. Patients and Methods: We reviewed our prospective, multicenter database for all patients undergoing RUR between September 2013 and September 2021 in which a BF was utilized. Preoperative, perioperative, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Major complications were defined as a Clavien-Dindo classification grade >2. Surgical failure was defined as recurrent symptoms, obstruction on imaging, or the need for additional surgical interventions. Results: We identified 50 patients who underwent RUR using a BF. Four (8%) underwent the Single Port approach. Twenty-four patients (48%) were active or former tobacco users. Thirty-four patients (68%) had previously undergone abdominal surgery, 17 (34%) had prior ureteral stricture interventions, and 9 (18%) had prior abdominopelvic radiation. The most common stricture etiology was malignancy (34.4%). The median follow-up was 15.0 months with a 90% (45/50) success rate. The five documented cases of failure occurred at a median of 1.8 months following the procedure. Conclusion: In the largest prospective, multi-institutional study of patients undergoing RUR with BF in the literature to date, we demonstrate a low rate of complications and a high rate of surgical success in three tertiary academic medical centers. All observed failures occurred within 2 months of surgical intervention.

Keywords: Boari; reconstruction; reimplantation; robotics; single port; ureter.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Constriction, Pathologic / surgery
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy* / methods
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Surgical Flaps
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ureter* / surgery
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / complications
  • Ureteral Obstruction* / surgery